Steph here, with ‘A Perfect World’. Any commentary by other people, and therefore incorrect, will be to follow.
Synopsis from the back of my Netflix envelope:
‘Film icons from two generations meet when fugitive Butch Haynes (Kevin Costner) takes a young boy hostage and goes on the lam across the Lone Star state, hotly pursued by police chief Red Garnett (Clint Eastwood, who also directed) and criminologist Sally Gerber (Laura Dern). Robbery, murder and a haunting final confrontation are the lynchpins of a remarkable movie that takes a close look at the true nature of violence. [Rated PG-13 – 2 hrs. 18 mins. – 1993.]’
Selected running commentary (cut for length and spoilers):
This movie was one of a very small category of films for me -- that category being a film that I had a lot of difficulty enjoying while watching it, but a day/a week/several weeks later I look back at it and go "...Hunh" and appreciate what the storytellers were trying to do. While there is a lot to say about the plot, it's not the most interesting part -- it's the generational development in the three age groups represented (Red, Butch and Phillip). All three characters are as good as they're ever going to get - Red is an ace at his job, even though he has 'a lot of sleepless nights' thinking about his responsibility in his profession and as a figure of authority to others. Butch has escaped from prison to attempt what he's been dreaming about for so long, even if he has no sure-fire way of getting there. Phillip, as a child, is as good as he's going to get as well -- through his experiences with Butch, he steps outside the world of his strict upbringing and spends time with (so far as we know) the only adult male that's cared about him directly. The comparison between Red and Butch in this respect is astonishing; Red directly cared for Butch but could only act upon it while Butch was growing up in an indirect way. Butch's direct influence on Phillip's life could then arguably be seen as the better route to travel in a child's life, however screwed up the actual course of events was that led both adult and child in that direction.
It's slow-paced, sure. Phillip runs around in underoos for the vast majority of the film, sure. In between screaming 'GET THE KID SOME PANTS' and wondering when you're going to get a chance to look at something that isn't Texas brushland, though, you get a picture you weren't expecting. That's why this, even though it was the first movie we reviewed, took me until now to write.
I liked it. A lot.
Just don't tell Mom. See below.
MOM'S TURN
First of all, I have to say that the movie stayed true to the flavor of the times and the place where the movie happens. It had the right accents, the right atmosphere, the right characters and interactions. Having lived in that part of the world, I remember the people, the attitudes and the obsession with masculinity/guns. Unfortunately, this movie could have been shorter by at least 40 minutes. Waaaaaaaaaaaaaay too much panoramic views of grass and dirt roads. Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too much time spent silently communicating by looks and long pauses in conversation. I liked the relation of growing up/accepting responsibility for one’s own actions and how the decisions Butch and Red had made led up to this series of events. One has to wonder if Buzz (Phillip) will try to be more of an adult than his mother is willing to let him be. In the ‘60s in Texas, children were definitely seen and not heard. Phillip has probably experienced more in his relationship with Butch than he ever would have with his own parent. What was learned by anyone in this tale is in doubt. Will Butch’s death mean anything to anyone? Will Phillip be able to figure out Butch’s true character? DOES ANYONE REALLY CARE? I don’t. It was an emotional roller-coaster and my only thought is “I wonder what Butch would have become if Red hadn’t sent him to Gatesville?” The world may never know.
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